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Upper extremity injuries in the paediatric athlete.
M S Kocher1, P M Waters, L J Micheli
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. kocher_m@al.tch.harvard.edu
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|August 31, 2000
Summary
Youth athletes face unique upper extremity injuries due to sports participation. Early recognition and treatment of these pediatric and adolescent sports injuries are crucial for preventing long-term disability.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric Sports Injuries
Background:
- Youth sports participation is rising, leading to increased upper extremity injuries in pediatric and adolescent athletes.
- Musculoskeletal systems in young athletes are still developing, making them susceptible to unique injury patterns specific to their sport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline common upper extremity injury patterns in pediatric and adolescent athletes.
- To emphasize the importance of early recognition and treatment for optimal outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of common injury types across shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand in youth athletes.
- Categorization of injuries based on anatomical location and sport-specific demands.
Main Results:
- Detailed listing of specific injuries: shoulder (e.g., little league shoulder), elbow (e.g., little league elbow), and wrist/hand (e.g., scaphoid fractures).
- Highlighting the distinct nature of these injuries due to the growing musculoskeletal system.
Conclusions:
- Prompt identification of injury patterns is essential for timely intervention.
- Activity modification and effective treatment can prevent deformity and disability, facilitating the return of young athletes to their sports.